Sunnyslope HS sophomore wins Congressman Pastor's art competition, including trip to Washington, art scholarship
***High school artists to be recognized by Rep. Pastor at reception Monday***

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Sophomore Troy Thomas, a student at Sunnyslope High School, has been selected as the winner of the Fourth Congressional District's Art Competition and will be recognized in a brief ceremony Monday in Phoenix, announced U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz. Troy won the competition with his drawing entitled "Our Angel" in ink and pen. His art teacher is Candice Stephens.

Second place went to Justin Ayala, a junior at Apollo High School. His oil painting is entitled "My Buddy." Third place was awarded to Juan Marzeleno, a sophomore at Trevor G. Browne High School. His graphite drawing was entitled "Always By My Side." Ten pieces by nine students, including another piece by Troy Thomas, received Honorable Mention. Those students included: Erika Hernandez, Mercedes Kincade, Steven Born, DesJean Bauer for two pieces, Chavonique Poole, Pedro Uriarte, Alejandro Corona and Marc Arvallo. There were 97 entries from 11 schools in the competition this year.

The students will be recognized by Congressman Pastor in a brief ceremony Monday, April 21, at 5:30 p.m. in the Gallery Cafe at the Art Institute of Phoenix, 2233 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix. The Art Institute hosted the art competition and will have the winning pieces and all entries on display.

As the first place winner of the Fourth Congressional District's Art Competition, Troy's art work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year and he will be flown with a guardian courtesy of Southwest Airlines to Washington, D.C., to be recognized at the June 25 "An Artistic Discovery" ceremony on Capitol Hill. In addition to the flights donated by Southwest Airlines, Troy will receive two nights at a Washington, D.C., hotel donated by the nonprofit Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.

The Art Institute of Phoenix also will donate tuition scholarships to the students who placed First, Second and Third, and those who received Honorable Mention.

"It is evident that the artistic talent of our youth is tremendous ," Pastor said. "I am extremely proud Troy's piece will be representing Arizona in the Capitol. I'm especially thankful to the teachers and parents who have encouraged these young people to pursue their talents, and the organizations which donated airfare, hotel expenses and scholarships to help recognize our winners."

This is the 16th year Pastor has hosted the art competition for students residing or attending a high school in his district. A winning entry in each congressional district is sent to Washington to be exhibited in a corridor leading to the U.S. Capitol, where thousands of visitors will view it along with winning entries from throughout the country. The annual competition, launched in 1982, is sponsored by the Congressional Arts Caucus and conducted by members of Congress in their respective districts.